The Second World in Ancient Times

I was in the palace, discussing with Jinshu how to make everyone in the harem better understand the new policy ideas so that they could help promote them when communicating with their families. At this time, Wanqing hurried over, her face full of worry.

"Your Majesty, this is bad. The implementation of the new policy has encountered great difficulties. Many ministers in the court have put a lot of obstacles in the way of the new policy, saying that it violates the laws of our ancestors and disrupts the order of the court." Wanqing said anxiously.

I frowned. "How can these ministers be so pedantic? Come, follow me to see His Majesty."

When I arrived at the imperial study, I saw several old ministers kneeling on the ground, giving advice to His Majesty.

A senior official said, "Your Majesty, the new policies proposed by the Queen—encouraging diversified businesses, changing educational content, and improving the welfare system—are all unprecedented. Our court has always adhered to the old system. Such a drastic move could lead to civil unrest. Your Majesty, please reconsider."

His Majesty looked at me with hesitation. I stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, while the old system has its traditions, times have changed. If our dynasty remains entrenched in its own ways, how can it gain a foothold among other nations and ensure a better life for its people? The new policies of diversification will bring prosperity to the nation's economy and enrich its people; educational reforms will cultivate more talented individuals to serve the country; and the welfare system will provide care for the orphans and the weak, demonstrating your majesty's benevolence and the nation's care."

The old minister retorted, "Your Majesty, your words are good, but these are all novel and bizarre ideas that have never been tried before. How can we guarantee their success? If they fail, the country will be in ruins."

I said, "My lord, everything in this world has a first time. Just like the ancients' first attempts at farming and weaving, if we don't try for fear of failure, then the country will never make progress. Furthermore, the new policies I propose draw on many past successful experiences and wisdom, not groundless fantasies."

His Majesty pondered for a moment and said, "I know you are worried about the country, but I also want to make it a better place. I need to consider this new policy further."

My heart sank, knowing that the opposition from these conservative forces had caused His Majesty to have concerns.

Shortly after returning to the harem, Wanqing received more news from local officials. She held up a memorial and read, "Your Majesty, local officials report a severe shortage of resources in implementing the new policies. For example, it's difficult to obtain the seeds and tools needed to develop cash crops, and there's a lack of funds and space to establish workshops. Furthermore, local residents don't understand the new policies, believing that growing food is the only real business, and are not very enthusiastic about cultivating cash crops. There's also a lack of coordination between local gentry and officials, with both blaming each other."

I sighed helplessly, "This new policy is too advanced for them. Changing their mindset won't be easy."

I thought for a moment, then said to Wanqing, "Go and tell them I'm going to ask them to send some young officials and gentry representatives from all regions who are knowledgeable and willing to accept new ideas to the palace. I'll personally explain the benefits of the new policies to them, and they'll go back and spread the word to the local people."

Wanqing took the order and left.

A few days later, the young officials and representatives of the gentry came to the palace, and I met them in the palace.

I said, "Everyone, I know you've encountered difficulties in implementing the new policies in your local areas. But you must understand that these new policies are designed to ensure a better life for everyone. Take cash crop cultivation, for example. Cotton can be woven into cloth, and tea can be sold for profit. The income from these crops is much higher than simply growing grain. Moreover, the court will provide support, including subsidies for seeds and farm tools. After the harvest, there will also be dedicated purchasing channels, so there is no need to worry about sales."

A young official asked, "Your Majesty, the people are worried that after planting cash crops, they may not have enough food to eat."

I replied, "This is where we need to make rational plans. We're not going to plant cash crops on all the land, but rather we'll allocate a portion for cultivation based on local land conditions. At the same time, the court will also allocate grain from other areas with abundant harvests to ensure everyone has enough food. This is like modern agricultural regional planning and food allocation mechanisms, ensuring both food security and the development of cash crops."

A squire asked, "Madam, how do we solve the problem of funding and space for building a handicraft workshop?"

I said, "In terms of funding, the imperial court will allocate a special fund, and local governments can also encourage wealthy households to invest, and they will receive dividends based on their investment ratio. As for the site, some idle government land or wasteland can be used. If necessary, the imperial court can intervene to coordinate. This is similar to modern public-private partnerships and the integrated utilization of land resources to jointly promote local industrial development."

These young officials and gentry representatives listened to what I said, and seemed to understand it, but there was more understanding and hope in their eyes.

After they returned, I organized a briefing for the palace maids and eunuchs in the harem about the new policies. I told them, "Although you are in the palace, you also come from all over the country. I hope you can spread the news of the new policies to your families. Tell them that they will improve their lives. For example, with the improvement of the welfare system, the elderly in your families can enjoy their old age in nursing homes, and orphans can receive care and education in orphanages."

A palace maid said, "My Lady, will the people believe it? They feel it is far away from them."

I said, "So you need to patiently explain. Just like I just explained to those officials and gentry, tell them the benefits of the new policy in a concrete way. This is like modern policy promotion, so that everyone can understand the significance and benefits of the policy."

However, not long after, news came that some local handicraft workshops were facing bankruptcy due to poor quality of products produced due to inadequate technology, resulting in unsale of products. The people therefore became even more skeptical of the new policy.

After learning this, I said to the Minister of Works, "Sir, the workshop's technical problems need to be resolved as soon as possible. We can organize some experienced craftsmen to teach their skills in workshops across the country. At the same time, we can select some bright apprentices to learn advanced technology in workshops in the capital. After they have learned, they can return to improve the production of local workshops. This is like modern technology exchange and talent training, which will improve the technical level of local industries."

The Minister of Works said, "Your Majesty, the coordination of these craftsmen and apprentices requires time and resources."

I said, "Time is pressing, Your Excellency can prioritize resource allocation. I will also organize some palace maids in the harem. Some of them are skilled in handicrafts. I can have them compile some handicraft skills and experience and send them to local workshops for reference. This can also be regarded as a small contribution from the harem to the new policy."

Facing numerous obstacles, including opposition from conservative forces, local resource shortages, and a lack of understanding from the people, I knew the road to implementing the New Deal would be fraught with obstacles. However, I leveraged my modern thinking, knowledge, and experience to continuously seek solutions. Whether it was arguing with conservative ministers, patiently explaining the policy to local officials and citizens, or resolving technical issues at the workshops, I diligently sought to overcome these obstacles, ensuring the smooth implementation of the New Deal and leading the country toward prosperity and strength. Throughout this difficult process, I also continuously strengthened my convictions and became a staunch supporter of the New Deal's implementation.

While resolving the workshop's technical issues, I also considered the crucial role of educational reform in implementing the New Deal. I addressed the Minister of Education, "Your Excellency, with the New Deal's implementation now hindered, educational reform is even more urgent. We must accelerate the cultivation of talent who understand and support the New Deal. We could add specialized courses explaining the New Deal to local schools, so that students understand its principles and significance from a young age. At the same time, we could select outstanding students to study in institutions in the capital, learning modern knowledge and management concepts. Upon completion, they could return to their local communities and become the backbone of the New Deal's implementation. This, like modern ideological and political education and talent reserve strategies, would lay the foundation for the long-term implementation of the New Deal."

The Minister of Education said, "Your Majesty, the teaching materials and teachers for this new course are another major problem."

I said, "Textbooks could be co-authored by me and other scholars, incorporating the content of the New Deal, modern thinking, and successful cases. Regarding teaching staff, we could first train existing teachers to master basic teaching content and methods. This would be like a modern textbook compilation and teacher training system, ensuring the smooth implementation of educational reform."

In the harem, I organized my concubines to learn about the New Deal so they could promote it when speaking to the wives of foreign envoys. I told them, "Sisters, we can also support the New Deal in diplomatic settings. When speaking with foreign wives, you can skillfully explain the changes and opportunities brought about by our New Deal, and encourage them to engage in trade and cultural exchanges with us. This is like modern-day diplomatic public relations and cultural communication, raising the profile and influence of our New Deal internationally."

The concubines said, "Your Majesty, we have never been involved in diplomatic affairs before, and we don't know how to start."

I said, "That's fine. I'll teach you some rhetoric and techniques. For example, start by introducing our dynasty's cash crops, then move on to the exquisite products made from these crops, and how the new policies will improve people's lives. Gradually, you'll become proficient in this."

During the difficult process of implementing the New Deal, I used modern thinking, knowledge and experience in all aspects, running back and forth between the palace and the imperial court. From domestic affairs to foreign affairs, from education to industry, from propaganda to technological improvement, I tried my best to introduce modern concepts and methods, trying to break through numerous difficulties and pave the way for the successful implementation of the New Deal. On this historical stage, I also wrote my own chapter of tenacity and worked tirelessly for the country's transformation and development.

While focusing on educational reform and supporting harem diplomacy, I also considered the potential of business innovation in resolving the New Deal's difficulties. I told the Minister of Commerce, "Your Excellency, in the face of business challenges like slow sales of workshop products, we need to encourage business innovation. We could establish a business innovation incentive fund to generously reward merchants who come up with novel sales strategies and product improvements. For example, merchants who can successfully resell slow-selling handmade products by repackaging and repositioning them could receive generous bonuses and preferential business policies. This would be like a modern business innovation incentive mechanism, stimulating merchants' creativity and enthusiasm."

The Minister of Commerce said, "Your Majesty, the funding source and selection criteria for this reward fund must be carefully determined."

I said, "Funding can be drawn from the imperial budget and commercial taxes. The selection criteria will comprehensively consider factors such as the feasibility of the innovative proposal, its potential to drive industry growth, and its contribution to the promotion of new policies. This is similar to modern fund management and project review systems, ensuring fairness, impartiality, and effectiveness of the awards."

In the harem, I also organized the concubines to participate in some business creation activities. I told them, "Sisters, we can also use our imagination to come up with ideas for business innovation. For example, we can design some novel handmade product styles or come up with some unique business promotions. This is like modern brainstorming and creative stimulation, injecting new vitality into business development."

The concubines all expressed their willingness to try: "Your Majesty, although we don't know much about business, we will do our best."

In the process of implementing the New Deal and encountering numerous difficulties, I have continued to explore and practice, combining modern thinking, knowledge and experience with ancient national conditions. Whether it is dealing with conservative forces, solving local problems, or promoting changes in education, business and other fields, I have worked hard to seek breakthroughs, hoping to lead the country out of the difficulties and achieve the grand goals of the New Deal. I will also continue to leave my own unique mark of struggle in this long river of history and contribute all my strength to the country's revival and development.